TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
(in response to RM "Screen shots have become the new passive
voice...)
> Surely you are not saying that all screen shots are useless and/or
> inefficient. I generally do not use screen shots, icons, etc. in my
> manuals; however, they have been necessary on occasion. I was recently
> telling the users to click on the "PC with the arrow pointing down
> icon". Huh? The picture was worth a thousand words. ;)
Yes, Kelly... But did you need the picture of the whole
screen? Or would the picture of the icon suit the purpose
as well... Or maybe better???
I pepper my docs liberally with all manner and sorts of
bitmaps, but I resist the urge to slap in an entire
screen where only a piece (or a picture) will do.
Sue Gallagher
StarBase Corp, Irvine CA
sgallagher -at- starbasecorp -dot- com